The Tennessee Titans enter the Cam Ward era with plenty of change.
Ward will open his rookie season behind a made-over offensive line, with JC Latham flipped to right tackle and Dan Moore signed to a long-term deal in free agency to play left tackle. Veteran Kevin Zeitler is a plug-and-play right guard while Lloyd Cushenberry III returns from a season-ending Achilles injury last year.
Calvin Ridley is the established No. 1 receiver with a mix of veterans and rookies around him. Tennessee will hope at least one of rookie receivers Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike will establish as the third receiver.
Defensively, the Titans return a stout defensive line and some encouraging new faces at linebacker. But the pass rush is a major question, as is a secondary with injury concerns.
The Tennessean makes its yearly Titans predictions ahead of this week’s season opener:
Titans 2025 predictionsTitans record: 5-12The reason: This team isn’t much better than last year’s squad, but the schedule feels pretty forgiving. Win at least two of the early games against Indianapolis, Arizona, Las Vegas and New England, then project some late-season growth out of Cam Ward and this is a team that can, at the very least, climb out of the league’s basement.One Titans bold prediction: Peter Skoronski will be an All-Pro and Pro Bowler at season’s end.One NFL bold prediction: Jayden Daniels will win MVP.Titans’ offensive MVP: Peter SkoronskiTitans’ defensive MVP: Jeffery SimmonsTop rookie: Cam WardPassing yards / touchdowns for Cam Ward: 3,600 passing yards, 25 touchdownsReceiving yards / touchdowns for Calvin Ridley: 1,250 receiving yards, 8 touchdownsJeffery Simmons sack total (5.0 sacks last season): 7.0Where Titans’ offense will rank: 18th total, 23rd scoringWhere Titans’ defense will rank: 22nd total, 26th scoringWill Cam Ward be NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year? No.Will Titans ownership keep the current coach/GM/president of football operations group in place for the first offseason since after the 2021 season? Yes.NFL 2025 predictions
NFC predictions 2025
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Detroit, Tampa Bay, LA RamsNFC wild cards: Washington, Dallas, ChicagoNFC title game: Detroit over Washington
AFC predictions 2025
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, Kansas CityAFC wild cards: Cincinnati, LA Chargers, PittsburghAFC title game: Baltimore over Buffalo
Super Bowl prediction
Super Bowl LX: Detroit over BaltimoreTitans 2025 predictionsTitans record: 4-13The reason: This isn’t a good roster.One Titans bold prediction: The Titans’ Joey Slye will break the NFL record with a field goal longer than 66 yards — and then have another kicker elsewhere break the new record by season’s end.One NFL bold prediction: The Kansas City Chiefs miss the playoffs. That bold enough for you?Titans’ offensive MVP: Tony PollardTitans’ defensive MVP: Cody BartonTop rookie: In a shocker, Cam Ward.Passing yards / touchdowns for Cam Ward: 3,375 passing yards, 19 touchdownsReceiving yards / touchdowns for Calvin Ridley: 1,250 receiving yards, 8 touchdownsJeffery Simmons sack total (5.0 sacks last season): 7.5Where Titans’ offense will rank: 24th in points, 17th in yards gainedWhere Titans’ defense will rank: I’m declining to answer this based on the Titans statistically having the league’s No. 2 defense last season, perfectly demonstrating the pointlessness.Will Cam Ward be NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year? No. See Jeanty, Ashton.Will Titans ownership keep the current coach/GM/president of football operations group in place for the first offseason since after the 2021 season? Nope. It’ll be the coach’s turn.NFL 2025 predictions
NFC predictions 2025
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Atlanta, LA RamsNFC wild cards: San Francisco, Detroit, ChicagoNFC title game: Detroit over LA Rams
AFC predictions 2025
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, DenverAFC wild cards: Cincinnati, LA Chargers, PittsburghAFC title game: Baltimore over Buffalo
Super Bowl prediction
Super Bowl LX: Baltimore over DetroitTitans 2025 predictionsTitans record: 5-12The reason: An improved offensive line allows Cam Ward to show promise, leading to an improvement on last year’s 3-14 record. But the defense is porous and an overall lack of depth guarantees a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.One Titans bold prediction: Jeffery Simmons is traded to an NFC team after a Week 8 loss to the Colts.  One NFL bold prediction: Under new coach Pete Carroll, the Las Vegas Raiders finish in second in the AFC West and make the playoffs for the first time in five seasons.Titans’ offensive MVP: Cam WardTitans’ defensive MVP: Arden KeyTop rookie: Cam WardPassing yards / touchdowns for Cam Ward: 2,900 passing yards, 24 touchdownsReceiving yards / touchdowns for Calvin Ridley: 1,100 receiving yards, 8 touchdownsJeffery Simmons sack total (5.0 sacks last season): 3.0Where Titans’ offense will rank: If we are talking points per game, I think right around league average. 16th.Where Titans’ defense will rank: Again, if points per game, very low. 28th.Will Cam Ward be NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year? No, that will go to Ashton Jeanty.Will Titans ownership keep the current coach/GM/president of football operations group in place for the first offseason since after the 2021 season? Yes.NFL 2025 predictions
NFC predictions 2025
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, LA RamsNFC wild cards: Washington, Green Bay, Tampa BayNFC title game: Philadelphia over Detroit
AFC predictions 2025
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, Kansas CityAFC wild cards: Las Vegas, Jacksonville, CincinnatiAFC title game: Baltimore over Buffalo
Super Bowl prediction
Super Bowl XL: Baltimore over PhiladelphiaTitans 2025 predictionsTitans record: 6-11The reason: The Titans are at least a year away from being a playoff contender, but that’s OK as long as Cam Ward progresses on the right track in his rookie season. The offensive line is much improved; even if you don’t count it as a complete strength, the group is at least two levels better than in 2024. Why not a better record? It’s difficult to see how this isn’t one of the league’s worst pass rushes, combined with a secondary with depth and longevity concerns.One Titans bold prediction: The Titans’ second leading receiver won’t be Tyler Lockett, a rookie receiver or a tight end. It’ll be Tony Pollard, whose receiving ability is better than what his PFF grade showed last season.One NFL bold prediction: Travis Kelce will lead the NFL in touchdown catches in his final season.Titans’ offensive MVP: Calvin RidleyTitans’ defensive MVP: Jeffery SimmonsTop rookie: Cam WardPassing yards / touchdowns for Cam Ward: 3,600 passing yards, 20 touchdownsReceiving yards / touchdowns for Calvin Ridley: 1,250 receiving yards, 7 touchdownsJeffery Simmons sack total (5.0 sacks last season): 7.5 sacksWhere Titans’ offense will rank: 17th in points, 19th in yards gainedWhere Titans’ defense will rank: 25th in points allowed, 19th in yards allowedWill Cam Ward be NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year? No, that’ll go to division rival Travis Hunter with the two-way ability and Jacksonville’s overall success this season. But Ward will be encouraging enough for Titans fans to be excited about 2026.Will Titans ownership keep the current coach/GM/president of football operations in place for the first offseason since after the 2021 season? Yes, 6-11 should be enough for Callahan to return for Year 3. But it’s all about Ward’s progression from Week 1 to 18.NFL 2025 predictions
NFC predictions 2025
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, San FranciscoNFC wild cards: Detroit, Atlanta, ArizonaNFC title game: Philadelphia over Green Bay
AFC predictions 2025
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Baltimore, Jacksonville, Kansas CityAFC wild cards: Cincinnati, Denver, PittsburghAFC title game: Kansas City over Baltimore
Super Bowl prediction
Super Bowl LX: Kansas City over PhiladelphiaTitans 2025 predictionsTitans record: 3-14.The reason: The Titans’ struggle continues. Rookie quarterback. Young receivers. Struggling secondary. Poor pass rush. All of the above and more.One Titans bold prediction: Despite the Titans’ woes, owner Amy Adams Strunk keeps the GM and coach. But, there are assistant coach changes after the season.One NFL bold prediction: The Chiefs win one more Super Bowl for Travis Kelce. Call it an early wedding present before retirement.Titans’ offensive MVP: Tony PollardTitans’ defensive MVP: Jeffery SimmonsTop rookie: Gunnar HelmPassing yards / touchdowns for Cam Ward: 2,350 passing yards, 17 touchdownReceiving yards / touchdowns for Calvin Ridley: 1,130 receiving yards, 8 touchdownsJeffery Simmons sack total (5.0 sacks last season): 8.5 sacksWhere Titans’ offense will rank: 27thWhere Titans’ defense will rank: 28thWill Cam Ward be NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year? No. Ashton Jeanty.Will Titans ownership keep the current coach/GM/president of football operations in place for the first offseason since after the 2021 season? Yes.NFL 2025 predictions
NFC predictions 2025
NFC division winners: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Carolina, San FranciscoNFC wild cards: Washington, Detroit, ChicagoNFC title game: Philadelphia over Washington
AFC predictions 2025
AFC division winners: Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, Kansas CityAFC wild cards: Cincinnati, Denver, LA ChargersAFC title game: Kansas City over Buffalo
Super Bowl prediction
Super Bowl LX: Kansas City vs. PhiladelphiaTitans 2025 recordAFC South winnerSuper Bowl matchupSuper Bowl championNick Suss5-12TexansRavens vs. LionsLionsGentry Estes4-13TexansRavens vs. LionsRavensAlex Daugherty5-12TexansRavens vs. EaglesRavensNick Gray6-11JaguarsChiefs vs. EaglesChiefsTom Kreager3-14TexansChiefs vs. EaglesChiefs